The world is off sick. Or on holiday. At one point today there was just three of us in the office. There’s a particular nastiness going around at the moment, seemingly impervious to whatever anti-death medicine you choose to throw at it, trapping those who weren’t off using their last few days of free time under a duvet at home, where they were probably groaning quietly.

So, in the face of unfriendly deadlines I ditched my Deputy Editor’s cap and took to the stage in my 1999 - 2000 role of Reviews Editor. I guess taking it on the day the whole section is due to be delivered was kind of ambitious. I don’t think I’ve done so hard a day’s work for weeks. Three new products arrived during the course of the day and had to be commissioned out. Eight reviews came in. Half the pages still needed copy dropping on them to fill up the gaps around the picture boxes.

By six, though, there was a biro scrawl through pretty much every item on the list. I was wiped out but the section was as close to being done as it could be.

I switched off, feeling very satisfied, and mooched home slowly through the crowds of by-now panicing last-minute shoppers. Fell asleep on the train - not at all like me - and woke up when the man beside me realised with a shock that he was travelling down the wrong line. Most of the carriage was sniggering at him.

Picked up the car, which was cold and sulking from being left in the car park over night last night. It coughed and spluttered all the way to Sainsbury’s, refusing to play nicely if it dropped below 20mph. It’s due for a service.

I’m still freezerless after the switch disaster. Although I’ve cleaned it out I’ve not had time to stock it up and it didn’t seem worth switching it on again until I did. The door has been shut on it a month now so I’m guessing it’ll need another scrub with something fragrant.

Bought enough to last until Christmas, and some bits and bobs for feeding the masses on Boxing day. Beyond that, though, can wait.

1. Springy shoes
   Last night was Jason's leaving party. He'd picked to have it at Revolution. which is becoming something of a regular PCW haunt. I missed it...
   
   
2. Like comfy, well worn shoes
   I feel like I've taken a two and a half year step back in time. I'm the reviews editor again, albeit in an acting capacity....
   
   
3. Last of the Mohicans
   This week is wearing me out. I'm editor, dep ed, features editor and reviews editor, at the same time as working on a special project....